Stockwell War Memorial

Friends of Stockwell War Memorial & Gardens

age 34

Arthur Pearce Harold

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A. P. Harold
Service no. 320761
Private, Norfolk Regiment, 12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion
Born in Reading, Berkshire
Killed in action around age 34 on 9 December 1917
Remembered at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel

Information from the censuses

Arthur Pearce Harold, 28, a newspaper clerk, was born in Reading, Berkshire. In 1911 he lived in 3 rooms at 13 Prideaux Road, Stockwell with his parents, Edward Charles Harold, 64, a chemist’s assistant from Tonbridge Wells, Kent, and Elizabeth Ann Harold, 62, a music teacher from Maidstone, Kent, and his sister, Margaret Gibson Harold, a 25-year-old post office clerk, born in Tunbridge Wells. This is one of the few examples where all members of the household have given occupations, including the women. Edward and Elizabeth Harold had had 5 children, with only Arthur and Margaret surviving in 1911.

Harry Frank Handel

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H. F. Handel
Service no. 16005
Gunner, Royal Field Artillery, 20th Reserve Bty.
Died age 34 on 9 March 1915
Handel died at home on 9 March 1915 from pneumonia, mitral disease (disease of the heart valves) and heart failure.
CWGC: “Husband of A. H. Handel, of 2 Arlington Mansions, 18A Morat Street, Brixton, London. Served in the South African Campaign.”
Remembered at Lambeth Cemetery, London and on the war shrine at St Michael’s Church, Stockwell Park Road, London SW9 0DA

See also George Frederick Billingsley and Sydney Walter Billingsley (stepsons).
There is also a thread about Harry Frank Handel on The Great War Forum.

Information from the 1911 census

Harry Frank Handel, 29, had been married to Ada Harriet Billingsley, 42, for 1 year when he completed the 1911 census. The family was then living in 3 rooms at 101 Cornwallis Road, Upper Holloway, north London. The couple had one son, Robert Harry Handel, 11 months, born in Highgate, north London (their daughter, Ida Helen Handel, was born in in 1915). The household included Harry’s stepsons: Sydney and George Billingsley, both remembered on the Stockwell War Memorial, and a stepdaughter, Winifred Kate Billingsley, 9. Harry Handel was an army pensioner, now working as a cook.

Information from the 1891 census

In 1891 Harry Handel was 9, living with his 6 siblings and parents in Camberwell (111 Crofton Road). His father, Harry Robert Handel, 36, was a pipe importer, born in Lambeth. His mother, Elizabeth Ann Handel, also 36, was born in Heytesbury, Wiltshire. The children on the 1891 census were
Elizabeth Kate Handel, 12, born in Lambeth
Nellie Eliza Handel, 10, born in Newington
Harry Frank Handel, 9, born in Newington
Amy Louise Handel, 7, born in Newington
Arthur E. L. Handel, 6, born in Newington
Ida Gertrude Handel, 1, born in Camberwell
Robert William Handel, 1 month, born in Camberwell
Annie Harriet Lawrence, 13 and born in Heytesbury, Wiltshire lived in as a general servant.

Frederick Walter Grey

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F. W. Gray
Service no. 35426
Private, Essex Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Born in Lambeth; enlisted in Clapham; enlisted in Clapham
Died age 34 on 12 April 1917
CWGC: “Husband of Alice Gertrude Gray, of 43, High St., Marylebone, London.”
Remembered at Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France

Charles William Curtis

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C. W. Curtis
Service no. 8672, Lance Serjeant, Worcestershire Regiment, “D” Coy., 3rd Bn.
Killed in action on 12 April 1918, aged 34
Remembered at Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium

Son of Charles Curtis; husband of Mary Curtis, of 22, Hargrave Rd., Highgate, London.

Information from the 1911 census

In 1911 Charles William Curtis, a blacksmith’s striker, lived with his family at 37 Union Street, Clapham, were nine people shared four rooms. His father, Charles Henry Curtis, 48, was a laundry carman married to Harriet Emily, an ironer. Curtis had six siblings.

William Bunyan

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W. Bunyan
Service no. 7848
Serjeant, York and Lancaster Regiment, 2nd Battalion
Killed in action age 34 on 20 July 1915
Son of the late William and Mary Elizabeth Bunyan; husband of Ellen Eliza Bunyan, of 8 Andalus Road, Landor Road, Stockwell, London. Native of Bengeo, Herts.
Remembered at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium and on the war shrine at St Michael’s Church, Stockwell Park Road, London 0DA.

British Army WWI Service Records 1914-1920

The file for WIlliam Bunyan is very damaged and therefore difficult to read.

William first joined the York and Lancasters in 1904. He gave his occupation as “groom”. At the time of joining he was about 23 and stood 5 feet 4¼ inches tall, weighed 120 pounds and was 36 inches around the chest (which he could expand by 2 inches). The Regiment carefully noted his progress after six months Army service and a “gymnastic course”. He had grown a triumphant 2/20ths of an inch, gained 3 pounds and increased his chest measurement by an inch. His eyes and hair were noted as brown. He bore a scar on his left wrist and had a “white patch” on his left breast. He was judged to be of “good character” and indeed during this period of service gained a good conduct badge.

After serving over 10 years (with some intervals) Bunyan was killed on 20 July 1915.

Information from the 1911 census

In 1911 William Bunyan, then 27, was working as a miller’s labourer and living with his grandmother and sister in 4 rooms (including kitchen) at 12 Russell Street, Hertford. Mary Bunyan, 73, was a widow born in Wadesmill, Herfordshire. Florence Bunyan, 29, was working as a shop assistant for a confectioner (sweet shop). She, like William, was born in Bengeo, Herfordshire.